Getting started

Setting up a cricket and mental health project from Shift on Vimeo.

Equipment you will need

• Box of 'Incrediball' cricket training balls
  
• 2-3 proper cricket bats
  
• Two wickets and bales
  
• Gloves (goalkeeper gloves can be used, or cheap wicket keeping gloves)
  
• First aid kit
  
• Cricket bag

Mental health benefits

Team members from Slough All Stars from Shift on Vimeo.

Linking with others

Ricky Lashley from Berkshire CCC from Shift on Vimeo.

Want to set up a new project?

Annie Ellison from Slough All Stars gives the following tips:

1. Plan
Discuss your ideas with colleagues and your manager
Find out if any of your colleagues, carers or service users have had an interest in cricket or have played cricket in the past.

2. Make contacts
Get in touch with the ECB development manager for your region and your county cricket board's cricket development officer.

3. Get local
Speak to your local cricket clubs to see if they can let you use their facilities. Point out that your players won't be wearing cricket studs or use real cricket balls, so potential damage to the pitch and equipment is minimal.
Your local council should also have a Sports Development Team and possibly also a Disability Sports Officer who can help you.

4. Give back
Find out if there are ways you can help clubs who help you, for example, offering them mental health awareness training.

Annie Ellison,
Physical Wellbeing Lead, Slough Assertive Outreach Team,
01753 477000
annie.ellison@berkshire.nhs.uk